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Pakistan Lifts Lockdowns, Top UN Diplomat Lauds Anti-Virus Gains

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Monday removed nearly all of its
   coronavirus-related lockdowns, citing a sharp decline in new infections
   and deaths over the past month.

   Volkan Bozkir, president-elect of the United Nations General Assembly,
   has endorsed the country's gains in the fight against the pandemic.

   Outbreaks of the novel coronavirus spread throughout the South Asian
   nation of about 220 million in late February, prompting fears of an
   imminent health disaster in the country with its traditionally
   neglected health care system.

   In mid-March, Prime Minister Imran Khan's government closed all
   schools, banned public gatherings and transport links, locked the
   national economy, sealed land borders and limited international
   flights. Restrictions on certain sectors have since been gradually
   eased to restore economic activities.

   On Monday, the government reopened all sectors and outlined strict
   guidelines on maintaining social distancing, avoiding big gatherings
   and wearing masks to help sustain the national gains against the
   pandemic. Educational institutions and wedding halls will remain closed
   until mid-September.

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